Water breathing is a powerful sword technique in the Demon Slayer manga and anime series. It is one of the core breathing styles practiced by demon slayer corps members. The 11th form of water breathing is a particularly strong technique known as “Dead Calm”.
Overview of Water Breathing
Water breathing is based on the flow of water and fluidity of techniques. It emphasizes flexibility and strategically maneuvering around attacks. There are 12 core forms to water breathing, each with a different purpose and application in battle:
- Water Surface Slash – A standard slashing move
- Water Wheel – Rotation slash useful for cutting through multiple enemies
- Flowing Dance – Wave-like slash while maneuvering past attacks
- Striking Tide – Counterattack slash
- Blessed Rain After Drought – Concentrated slash
- Whirlpool – Continuous flowing slashes while rotating
- Drop Ripple Thrust Curve – Fast upward slash while quickly stepping forward
- Waterfall Basin – Downward slash while falling from the air
- Water Splash – Ricocheting slash in multiple directions
- The Merciful Rain of a Dry Day – Technique for dealing mercy blow to immobile opponent
- Dead Calm – The powerful 11th form
- Underwater Prison – Trapping slash to immobilize target
The forms emphasize fluidity, precision, and relentlessness. Together they make water breathing a versatile style well-suited for combating agile demons.
The Origin of the 11th Form “Dead Calm”
The 11th form of water breathing is known as “Dead Calm” or sometimes translated as “Lull”. It was developed sometime in the early to mid 1600s by Shinjuro Rengoku, the Flame Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps at the time.
Rengoku sought to create a form that exemplified absolute focus and inner calm during battle. He observed how the surface of water becomes perfectly still and tranquil on clear, windless days. By mirroring this serenity amidst the chaos of battle, a demon slayer could maintain complete composure and land devastating blows.
After perfecting the technique, Rengoku named it “Dead Calm” referring to the requisite inner state of the swordsman. The form quickly spread through the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps given its power and uniqueness among existing water breathing forms.
How “Dead Calm” Works
Dead Calm is an offensive technique designed to strike vital points with overwhelming force. Its power comes from the user’s perfect equilibrium and detached, present-state focus in the midst of combat.
To initiate Dead Calm, the user adopts a mid-level stance with their blade held in a two-handed grip angled behind them. They enter a meditative, empty state of mind to eliminate distraction and attain high situational awareness. When the opponent attacks, the user perceives it with pure clarity uncolored by emotion or thought.
As the attack enters the user’s sphere of reach, they step into it while unsheathing their blade at lightning speed directly toward vital areas. The slash is intended to inflict maximum damage in a single strike before returning to a centered stance. This is repeated as necessary, each strike emanating from absolute stillness.
The key is maintaining composure through a meditative mindset. By eliminating tension, fear, anger, and attachment, the Dead Calm user can react instantaneously from a place of emptiness. This allows the technique to mirror the surface of a calm lake – reflecting things as they are without distortion.
Users of Dead Calm
Due to its demanding spiritual and combat requirements, Dead Calm has been used sparingly throughout Demon Slayer Corps history. However, a few swordsmen have wielded it to great effect:
- Giyu Tomioka – The current Water Pillar mastered Dead Calm along with the full repertoire of Water Breathing forms. His emotionally reserved nature suits the technique’s requirement of inner stillness.
- Tanjiro Kamado – Despite being self-taught in Water Breathing, Tanjiro tapped into the essence of Dead Calm during moments of intense focus in battle. He did not know the form formally but grasped its meditative principles.
- Muichiro Tokito – As a natural prodigy, Tokito quickly mastered Dead Calm after seeing it once as a child. His mastery of the form contributed to him becoming the Mist Pillar.
A few other Water Breathing users throughout history have wielded Dead Calm to varying degrees, but it remains a difficult and rare technique in the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Power of “Dead Calm”
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When performed correctly, Dead Calm is one of the most lethally efficient techniques in all of Water Breathing. A single clean strike can inflict mortal injuries. The meditative composure of the user also makes the attacks difficult to anticipate compared to other flashy moves.
However, the rarity of Dead Calm stems from its challenges. Very few individuals can permanently quiet their mind even amidst violence. The need to willingly enter an enemy’s attack range is also risky. And sustaining the inner meditative state consumes considerable stamina. But for those who can master it, Dead Calm represents the pinnacle of Water Breathing technique.
Role in Demon Slayer Story
Dead Calm appears at critical moments in the Demon Slayer story during pivotal battles:
Tanjiro vs Rui
While battling the demon Rui, Tanjiro unconsciously uses the principles of Dead Calm to clear his mind and land clean blows even when blinded by web thread.
Giyu vs Akaza
Giyu repeatedly uses Dead Calm to damage the upper rank Akaza despite the difference in strength. His Dead Calm state prevents Akaza from anticipating the strikes.
Muichiro vs Gyokko
Muichiro Tokito utilizes Dead Calm to defeat the upper rank Gyokko. He enters a tranquil state that allows him to reflect Gyokko’s techniques back instantly.
In all cases, Dead Calm allows the user to overcome the immense pressure of facing upper rank demons. This highlights its value as a trump card Water Breathing technique against the most dangerous foes.
Conclusion
Dead Calm, the secret 11th form of Water Breathing, represents the pinnacle of the style’s fluidity and lethality. Its meditative principles allow landing devastating strikes from a place of maximum focus and equilibrium. Dead Calm shaped key battles between demon slayers and upper ranks in the series. Though difficult to master, it exemplifies Water Breathing at its highest level.